Boeing Dreamliner closer to return after successful test flight

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner jet moved closer to a return to service this weekend,
after a successful test flight showed its overhauled systems can avoid the
battery issues which have dogged its performance.

The American aerospace giant had to ground its new plane more than two months ago, after batteries overheated on two different jets.Photo: Getty Images

The American aerospace giant had to ground its new plane more than two months ago, after batteries overheated on two different jets.

Friday's successful flight from a runway near the Boeing factory close to Seattle marked the end of three weeks of tests on the revamped planes.

What caused the problem remains unknown, but Boeing has since made changes including more insulation for the lithium-ion battery, encasing it in a steel box, and changing the circuitry. The company said the changes address more than 80 potential causes of the problems.

Regulators at the US's Federal Aviation Administration, Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau and the European Aviation Safety Agency must now approve the modifications for the plane to return to service.

The latest test flight marked "the final certification test for the new battery system, completing the testing required by the FAA", the company said.

"Boeing will now gather and analyse the data and submit the required materials to the FAA in coming days.

"Once we deliver the materials we stand ready to reply to additional requests and continue in dialogue with the FAA to ensure we have met all of their expectations."

The entire 50-strong fleet of Dreamliners already in service was grounded after a battery created smoke in the cockpit on one plane, prompting an emergency landing in Japan in mid-January. Nine days earlier, another problem battery had caused a fire on the tarmac in Boston.

The cost to Boeing is estimated at more than $500m (£326m). None the less, given that the introduction of the Airbus A380 was also dogged by headaches, investors have so far given the US company the benefit of the doubt.

In a further boost for Boeing, International Airlines Group last week said it would buy an extra 18 Boeing 787 Dreamliners for British Airways. The deal, worth $4bn (£2.6bn) at catalogue prices, represents an attempt by IAG to upgrade the fleet of planes at its UK subsidiary.

British carriers meanwhile have remained supportive of Boeing and the Dreamliner.

Boeing has said it will install its battery fixes on the planes already in fleets of eight airlines, then on the 787s that it has kept building at a rate of five a month.